EXCLUSIVE: Aardman, the enduring UK animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Hen Run, has rejigged its prime group and introduced in a BBC Studios govt to supervise an IP push.
Aardman has employed Emma Hardie, Business Director of International Leisure for BBC Studios, to the newly-created position of Govt Business and Model Director.
Aardman mentioned Hardie will oversee financing, distribution, licensing, advertising and marketing, and planning of the studio’s animated mental property. She takes up the position, which features a seat on Aardman’s govt board, on April 15.
Hardie has labored at BBC Studios for greater than seven years, throughout which era she performed a task within the firm’s investments in producers Mothership TV and Mettlemouse Leisure. She additionally govt produced BBC Studios’ first Snapchat fee for Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II miniseries.
Emma Hardie
Hardie’s rent comes amid a wider govt reshuffle at Aardman. Co-founder Peter Lord is stepping down from Aardman’s govt board to deal with overseeing the studio’s slate as Inventive Director. Lord additionally intends to behave as an envoy for the corporate and British animation.
Aardman’s Director of Finance & Operations Kerry Lock is retiring after 28 years, with Joanna Cave promoted from Head of Finance to Finance Director. She has joined Aardman’s govt board.
Govt board members Sarah Cox and Daniel Efergan have obtained promotions to Chief Inventive Director and Govt Inventive Director of Interactive & Innovation respectively.
Aardman Managing Director Sean Clarke mentioned: “Our method has at all times been to champion, nurture and empower the sensible expertise that already exists at Aardman while additionally bringing on board the perfect of the perfect from elsewhere throughout the leisure trade.
“It permits us to capitalise on the a long time of expertise of our colleagues while additionally making certain we proceed to usher in contemporary concepts and new and revolutionary considering. For sure, we’re delighted that our co-founder Peter Lord will proceed to play an important position each right here at Aardman and throughout the broader animation world.”
